Notes. 
[August, 
54 ° 
the Atlantic and become naturalised in England. The difference 
of climates and the conditions of intercourse between the two 
countries do not furnish any satisfactory explanation of so marked 
a difference in the migratory power of the two floras. 
According to Dr. Dujardin-Beaumetz the alkaloids of the 
pomegranate bark occasion paralysis of the motor nerves, whilst 
leaving the muscular contraaility unimpaired. They do not 
affea sensibility, and may rank among the curarising poisons. 
In a girl who died recently, at the Hotel Dieu of Caen, the 
whole of the thoracic and abdominal organs were found com- 
pletely inverted, the heart being at the right side, the liver at the 
left, whilst its usual position was occupied by the stomach and 
the spleen. 
“ Les Mondes ” gives, from some source not specified, an 
account of a so-called elearic girl, living at London, in Canada, 
whose hand cannot be touched save on penalty of an elearic 
shock. She can give a violent shock to a chain of fifteen or 
twenty persons who join hands, and she has the power of mag- 
netic attraaion. Packets of needles, even if wrapped up in 
paper, hang suspended from her finger-ends. If she enters a 
room all the persons present undergo . a perceptible influence; 
some are made drow r sy, and others feel indisposed and enervated 
until her departure. A sleeping child awakes at her approach, 
but a slight caress with her hand sends it to sleep again. [How, 
when her touch communicates an elearic shock ?] Animals are 
equally influenced by her ; a favourite dog of the family remains 
for entire hours at her feet, as motionless as if dead. Very 
strange, if true. 
Acccording to M. Bidard the plane tree ( Platanus ) exerts an 
injurious aaion on human health, sometimes to the extent of 
producing discharges of blood from the lungs. This aaion is 
said to be due to a white down which is formed on the lower 
surface of the leaves, and which is easily detached by the wind. 
Mr. Tremlett, Consul at Saigou, gives particulars concerning 
hwangnoa , which is said to be an antidote for the bites of the 
most venomous serpents, and to have been used successfully in 
the treatment of cancer and leprosy, which is very common in 
Tonking. 
A sum of £60,000 has been subscribed for the establishment 
of a college in Liverpool, on the principle of those of Leeds and 
Bristol. 
A species of Dasyurus (D. fuscus) has been found in the Arfak 
Mountains of New Guinea— the first Australian carnivorous type 
found in that island. 
MM. A. de Quatrefages and L. Hamy have communicated -to 
the Academy of Sciences a memoir on the cramology of the 
various subdivisions of the Negro race. 
